Stranger Things is back and so is Michael Jackson. Season 5 has added MJ’s “Rockin’ Robin” to its soundtrack, instantly giving fans another nostalgic 80s moment courtesy of the kids in Hawkins. The track appears in Episode 1, setting the tone for a season already packed with musical throwbacks.
The show has long been praised for turning vintage hits into global sensations. Its needle-drops have gone beyond background music, becoming cultural moments of their own. Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” soared to chart dominance thanks to Season 4, and Metallica’s “Master of Puppets” roared back into the spotlight after Eddie Munson’s unforgettable Upside Down performance.
Could “Rockin’ Robin” become the next song to re-enter the charts? It may be too early to tell, but Stranger Things has proved that the right scene can turn any classic into a worldwide obsession.
Songs Featured So Far in Season 5 (Episodes 1–4)
Episode 1 – The Crawl
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Rockin’ Robin – Michael Jackson
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Pretty in Pink – The Psychedelic Furs
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Upside Down – Diana Ross
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Running Up That Hill – Kate Bush
Episode 2 – The Vanishing of Holly Wheeler
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Fernando – ABBA
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Running Up That Hill – Kate Bush
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Mr. Sandman – The Chordettes
Episode 3 – The Turnbow Trap
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To Each His Own – Freddy Martin & His Orchestra
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I Think We’re Alone Now – Tiffany
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Oh Yeah – Yello
Episode 4 – Sorcerer
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Sh-Boom – The Chords
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Premature Plans – Elmer Bernstein
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Running Up That Hill – Kate Bush
With only four episodes released so far and more music still to come, it won’t be surprising if another chart-shaking moment is on the horizon. For now, Michael Jackson fans can enjoy hearing “Rockin’ Robin” soar once again, this time from Hawkins to the streaming world.
As we know, the producers of the show tried to use Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” in the past within the show but the Estate licensing process was too much for the filming production. They did, however used the song in the trailers. This time, the production team went to Universal who owns the right to Motown catalogue.
Also to mention, within the show, Michael Jackson is mentioned through an episode where a radio DJ speak about “The Wiz”. Love it!
